Vertical space or line counter for typewriters



v J. D. F. SMITH 2,527,105

VERTICAL SPACE 0R LINE COUNTER FOR TYPEWRITERS Oct. 24, 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 15, 1948 Inventor James D. F. Sin/7h Oct. 24, 1950 J. D. F. SMITH 2,527,105

VERTICAL SPACE 0R LINE COUNTER FOR TYPEWRITERS Filed Feb. 15, 1948 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 y I I38 80 I 132 Q 190/92 203 111%.;

I /o2 HE 5s A 5 6 w, a y \Q 3 Inventor James 0.1. Smifh Oct. 24, 1950 J. D. F; SMITH 2,527,105

VERTICAL SPACE 0R LINE COUNTER FOR TYPEWRITERS Filed Feb. 13, 1948 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 F i .6 I60 /50 g 5? 5 1m V 236 4 2 54 KQM I 1,; \v H Fig. 7. Fig. 8.

Inventor //0 84 James D. f. Smith as us //6 Oct. 24, 1950 J. D. F. SMITH 2,527,105

VERTICAL SPACE 0R LINE COUNTER FOR TYPEWRITERS Filed Feb. 15, 1948, 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Get. 24, 1950 UNITED: STATES PATENT OFFICE VERTICAL SPACE OR LINE' COUNTER FOR TYPEWRITERS James 1). F; Smith, St. Paul, Minn.

Application February 13, 1948, Scrial No. 8,215

1:4 Olaims; I

This invention comprises novel and useful-im provements in a vertical space or line counte for typewriters and more specifically pertains to a means for indicating and registering the number pf spaces or lines of typing'which have been-completed by means of a mechanism calibrated to the operation of the typewriter space orline lever.

The principal objectof this invention is to provide a' register and indicator which shall auto matically display-the number of lines or spaces for which the device shall have been adjustedtoindicate and which shall producean audible signal when the predetermined number of lines or spaces has been attained;

An important feature of the invention resides in the provision of a registeror counter in conformity with the forcgoingobject which shall becompact, of light weight, have relatively few movingparts; be readily adjustedfor operation and easily mounted upon various; makes of' typewriters, and which shall be dependable and accurate in its functioning;

A further important feature or the invention is the provision of an attachment in accordance with the foregoing" objects and featureswhich may be readilymounted-upon the spacer lever of any standard: make of typewriter for automaticactuation whenever said spacer lever is operated;

An additional important feature of the present invention is the provisionof a mechanism in conformity with the foregoing objects and features" which shall be operated by a hydraulic means; and which hydraulic means shall be completely sealed and enclosed in the mechanism.

Yet another feature of the invention res des in the provision of a novel indicating or signaling means which is automatically operable in response to the line-by-line actuation of the device, which may be readily reset as desired, and which may be readily adjusted to any predetermined number of spacing lines for automatically causing the resetting of the entire mechanism to its originalposition when the desired number of lines of typing has been obtained.

A further; important feature of "the invention residesin the provision of. a. novelconstruction whereby. a predetermined fluid pressure is imposed on the confinedhydraulic operating medium, and wherein; operating impulses are imparted to an operating piston in response to each actuation of thespacer lever of the'typewriter for producing anoperating impulse in the'hydraulic system to cause a step-by-step movement of a fluid pressure responsive piston for operating. thegindicating or signalling mechanism.

These; together with various ancillary'objects and features of the invention which will subsequently appear: as the specification proceeds, are

attained by thisdevice, a preferred embodiment of which has been illustrated, solely-byway of example of the principles .of theinvention; in the accompanying drawings,wherein:

Figure 1 is aperspective View of a fragment of a conventional form of typewriter showing, the invention mounted uponthe. spacer lever of a typewriter for operation thereby; I

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the attachment shown mountedin Figurel upon a.somewhat enlarged scale;

Figure 3 is an enlarged detailed view-takensubstantially uponthe plane of the vertical section line-33 of Figure 2 and showing; the interior. construction of the actuator cam of. the-device;-

Figure 4 is a horizontalsectional View. takensubstantially uponv the plane of the section line 44 ofrFigure 3;

Figure 5 is; a horizontal sectiona-lviewtaken substantially upon the planev of the broken sec,-

tion line 5-5 of Figure 6, parts being broken away, to show the arrangement and construction of various internal parts of the device;

Figure 6 is a vertical transverse sectional view taken substantially upon the plane of the section line S'% of Figure5;

Figure 7 is a fragmentary vertical transverse sectional view taken substantially upon the plane of the section line 1-1 of'Figure 5; j v

Figure 8 is.a fragmentary verticaltransverse sectional view taken substantially-upon the plane of the section line 8--8of Figure 5;

Figure 9 is a detailed view, somewhatenlarged, taken upon the plane of the horizontal section line 9'-9 of Figure 6;

Figure 10 is, a perspective view. of the operating piston of the device; I

Figure 11. is. a central longitudinal sectional view, parts being broken away, or v thereset knob and shaftof the invention;

Figure 12 is a central longitudinal. sectional view, parts being broken,- away, of a push-rod element ofthe invention;

Figure 13 is a perspective view of the interior or lower side of a removable cover forming a part of vthe casing of the device;

Figure 14- is a vertical transverse sectional view on a somewhat enlarged scale, showing the construction of the audible and visual signalling means and a portion of itsoperating mechanism;

Figure-15 is: a side elevationaldetailed: view of a part of the construction shown in Figure 14;

Figure 16 is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially upon the plane of the section line l5-| 6 of Figure 14; and,

Figure 17 is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially upon the plane of the section line l'!l1 of Figure 14.

Referring now more specifically to the accompanying drawings, wherein like numerals designate similar parts throughout the various views, attention is directed first to Figure 1, wherein I ll designates a portion of the framework of a typewriter of known design which frame includes a typewriter carriage, not shown, upon which is suitably journalled for rotation thereon a platen l2 provided with a customary operating gear 14 in the form of a ratchet wheel, which is operated in a step-by-step motion, to advance the work one step at a time by means of a pawl i6 pivotally mounted as at l8 to a part of the carriage 20 which is movably and slidably mounted for movement transversely of the frame I0 in accordance with conventional practice. A manual adjusting means 22 is provided for regulating the operation of the pawl I6 on the ratchet 14, to thereby cause selectively single, double or triple spacing by appropriate movement of the platen 12 in response to a single actuation of the spacer lever 24, which spacer lever is pivoted to a portion of the carriage 20 and is connected by a link 26 with the pawl member l6 for actuation of the latter.

In accordance with this invention, the indicator or signalling attachment although not limited thereto in use, may be conveniently mounted upon and carried by the spacer lever 24. This attachment, indicated generally at 28, is attached to the spacer lever 24 at any suitable point thereon, but in juxtaposition to a stationary actuating cam indicated generally at 30 which is rigidly but removably and replaceably attached to any suitable portion of the frame of the carriage 20, as for example, at the pivot of the spaced lever 24.

As shown best in Figures 3 and 4, this stationary cam comprises a base plate 32 which is secured to the upper surface of the carriage 20 as by a fastening screw 34 which is received within a recess or chamber 36 in the upper surface of the plate 32, and extends through an aperture in the base thereof. Extending upwardly from the base plate 32 are a pair of dowel pins 38 which register with and are receivable in correspondingly positioned bores or recesses 40 in the undersurface of a cover plate 42 having a chamber 44 therein registering with the above mentioned chamber 36.

A tension spring 46 of the coil type is received within the two chambers 36 and 44, and has its extremities secured to the fastening screw 34, and in any suitable manner, to the upper plate 42, for yieldingly urging these parts together and retaining the two parts in assembled, non-rotatable, rigid and fixed position. In order to assemble or remove the device, it is merely necessary to pull the top plate 42 from its seat upon the dowel pins 38, against the tension of the spring 46, whereby access may be had to the screw 44 for installing or removing the base plate 32 from the carriage of the typewriter. Also, the cam plate 42 may be lifted from the dowel pins 38 and 40, rotated through 180 and re-seated on the pins thereby positioning the cam 48 in an inoperative position and disconnecting the attachment. Obviously, only a moment is thus required to engage or disengage the attachment.

Preferably integrally formed with the top plate 42 and extending laterally therefrom, is an extension 48 comprising a stationary operating cam, the peripheral edge of which extension is properly contoured to impart the desired movement to the end of an operating plunger 50 mounted in the recording device 28 and forming part of an operating mechanism to be now described. As will thus be seen, upon oscillation of the spacer lever 24, the device 28 and the plunger 50 carried thereby are oscillated with respect to the stationary cam 48, and this cam imparts a predetermined timed movement of predetermined amplitude to the plunger 50, as set forth hereinafter. Obviously, various alternative designs of cams could be substituted in order to vary the operations of the device and adapt it to different machines.

Attention is now directed chiefly to Figures 5, 6, 7 and 8 for a better understanding of the construction of the hydraulically actuated indicating mechanism.

The apparatus includes a body portion 52 of any suitable construction forming a casing for supporting and housing the various operating parts of the mechanism as set forth hereinafter, which casing is provided with three longitudinally extending parallel hydraulic cylinders of appropriate and suitable dimension comprising a reservoir cylinder 54 having a pressure maintaining piston 55 slidable therein, this piston being loaded by a spring 58 whose compression pressure exerted on the piston 56 is adjusted by a removable cylinder plug or cover plate 80. An operating cylinder 62 extends entirely through the casing 52, and at one end slidably receives the operating plunger 50, while the other end is provided with a closure plug 64 having non-return inlet and outlet ball check valves 66 and 68 therein respectively. The third or operated cylinder 10 slidably receives therein the operating piston 12 of the device which is urged outwardly of the cylinder by a compression spring 14, a fluid pressure chamber 16 being formed between the outer surface of the piston 12 and the inner surface of a cylinder closure plug or head 18.

Rigidly secured to the piston 12 on the opposite side from its pressure face is a piston rod which is connected to mechanism to be subsequently described for responding to the strokes of the operating plunger '50, and after a predetermined number of operations of the piston 12 by the actuation of the platen, operates a signalling mechanism to be later set forth.

A supply conduit 82 has free communication with the delivery end of the reservoir cylinder 54, and communicates with the non-return inlet check valve 66 of the operating cylinder 62, thus maintaining the latter filled with operating fluid and under a predetermined minimum pressure for which the plunger 56 is adjusted. A return conduit 84 has free communication with the delivery end of the reservoir cylinder 54, while its other end communicates with the operating chamber 16 of the cylinder 10, under control of an automatically operated valve assembly, the housing of which is indicated by the numeral 86. After the cylinders 54, 62 and I6 are charged with hydraulic fluid, the same being filled in any suitable or desired manner, the pressure of the spring 58 is adjusted by the plug 60, to cause the piston 66 to impart any desired static pressure upon the fluid of the system. The fluid thus produced in 'the cylinder :54 is. transmitted bymeans; of the'delivery conduit 82 and checkvalvetfii. into the" operating cylinder 52, which thereby has its minimum pressure equal to "the pressure for which the reservoir 54 isseti By means of: 5

the outwardly opening check valve 68, an'dicon duit 88 attached thereto, this same predeter-'- mined pressure is constantly maintained asther minimum pressure in the pressure operating.

chamber 16, since-the open end of the conduit in 88 continuously communicates therewith. Thus; a' minim-um pressure as determined by the adjustment of piston 56 is'maintained in each oi th'es chambers 54-; 62 and 16.

As will'thus be seen, there is' no'returnrlow' from theoperating cylinder 62' to the reservoir cylinder'54, but any fluid forced from the operatinggcylinder isdelivered to the operated cylinder lfi by means of the conduit 88. Any-replenishment necessary for the cylinder 62, aswh'en operating piston 12 is returned to its outer or idle position in the chamber l6 by the spring 'M' in a manner to be set forth hereinafter, fluid is delivered through the control valve" casing 86" and return conduit 84 back into the'reservoir 54to thus restore the initial volume of fluid in the res- R50 ervoir while stillmaintaining the predetermined pressure therein.

Attention is now directed moreparticularly to the operating plunger-and iits cycle of operation;

As shown in Figures 5 and 10; this plunger consistsof'a piston 90 which'is slidable in the operating cylinder 62 and may have a fluid-tight sealing, engagement therewith if desired, this piston screW-threadedly engaging as at 92;- the end ofthe piston rod 94, which rod is provided with 40 a rectangular shoulder or flange 9S. constituting a stop means limiting inward movement; andatits outer extremity is provided with a; cam surpface 98 oscillatably engaging the stationaryactuating cam 48'previously mentioned. Thepiston rod'94 is'slidably guided and retained by the plug 100 which is threaded into-one'endf of the-Jopcrating cylinder 62.

As will readily be seen; the predetermined pressure of the system normally maintains the'plunger 50Fat the'ielld of its outward stroke in the. cylinder 52; although a supplemental spring means maybe employed if desired. Upon each a-ctuation of the spacer-lever 24, however; thedevice- 28 and the plunger carried thereby are oscillated relativeto thestationary cam, whereby on each such movement the plunger is givenan inward stroke in thecylinder 62-, thereby'displacing a predetermined quantity of fluid from saidjcylinder throughits" delivery conduit BBJpa-st-the check: valve 68 into-the operating chamber 16. ofthe piston 12: This result is effectedsin-ce the check valve (is-prevents delivery of the fluid. displaced by the piStOn;9fl baclc into the reservoir cylinder 54. As soon as the plunger. cam Slidisengages the actuator cam 48, byrelease of the spacer lever 24, thepressure within the cylinder 62 drives the plunger. 9!! backto its original position, while the piston 56 iorcesavdisplacement of'fluid from the p reservoir '54 into operating cylinder 62 (to compensate for the quantity of fluid delivered by the plunger into the operating chamber. 16.

As Will be seen, on eachsuch actuation ofthe plunger, 50, a predetermined quantity of'fiuid is forced into the chamber 16, thereby'causlng a predetermined displacement I of "the piston: I 2 in Obviously, the cross wardlyof said chamber. sectional areas' of the cylinders-62 and 16 may have any desired predetermined ratio, whereby the unit of 5 volume of fiuiddisplaced by the plunger piston-99 on each operating-stroke will produce a calibrated and-predetermined extent oftravel ofthe piston 12 and of its piston rod 80.

In substantial alignment with the cylinder 10, the casing 52isprovided with a chamber I02 which is separated from the cylinder 10' by the partition I04" and is provided with a fluid-tight sealing engagement of any suitable sort with'the piston rod this piston rod being of non-circularshape; as shownin Figure 7, to prevent rotation'of thepiston rod for a purpose which will later' b ecome apparent: Adjacent its-lower end, the piston rod is provicled with alateral shoulder orlug-lflfiwhich constitutes an'actuating means for the resetmecha-nism after a predetermined number of'lines or spaces usedon the platen roll. The end of the piston rod has secured thereto a chain-or cable H18; which extends through the end wallsof the block 52, and isconnected witlithe -audible and visual signalling means in a manner to be subsequently set forth. Itshould be-noted, however, that this-cable or chain is urged outwardly of" the; chamber I02 by spring means connected with thesignalling means, wliereby as the-piston 72'- is' forced inwardly of the cylinder 10 against the opposition of its spring 16; theinwardtravel of the-piston rod 80 permits the chain iB8-tobewithdrawn from the casing Hi2; thereby permitting movement of the signalling means as set forth hereinafter.

Attention is now directed to Figures 5. and 9 for a description of the valve controlling the ,return movement of the operated piston. The valve casing 36 secured to the closure plug 18 of the cylinder 'Hlis provided with a port or passage i ll] which is inalignment with but spaced from a corresponding port or passage I I2 in the plug 18. The conduit 84 communicates with the port H0 as shown-in-Figurefl; A slidable valve member in theformofaplate N l-and provided with an actuating 'rod- H6, is formed with a port H8 which is'normally disposed out of registry, with the aligned ports l H) and I l 2, as shown in Figure 9, whereby egress of fluid from the chamber 12 is preventedf However, when the actuating rod l iz'i' -is operated, the valve may be moved to the right as viewed in Figure 9, whereby the valve port l l8 registers'with'the ports i It) and i l 2, to thereby establish free communication between the operatingchamber l6 and the reservoir fill'through the-conduit 84; When this connection is established; the-spring 'i i whicli is the strongest spring incorporated in thisdevice, is permitted to urge the piston 12 outwardly of the cylinder 10, and discharge fluid fronr the operating chamber H3 through the conduit 84 backinto the reservoir 54" against'the opposition of the spring pressed plunger 561 During this return movement of the piston 12, and piston rod- 88; the chain I88 is drawninto'the chamber lllzto thereby restore the signalling device to its originalposition and to wind its actuating spring as set forth hereinafter.

As will be seen from Figure 5, the end of the actuating rod H6 of the valve assembly is pivotally connected'to one end of-a bellcrank' I20 which is pivotally mounted'on-a bracket I22 carried'by any suitable portion ofthe body 52, and

whose other end is pivotally connected to the I26 pivotally connected to the bellcrank I20 for actuation thereof, and this push rod is provided with a shouldered portion I28 which is engaged by a spring I30, to urge the push rod in a direction to cause opening of the slide valve I I4. The rod I24 is slidably received in a push rod chamber I32, and has its extremities journaled in the end walls of this chamber and in a complementary chamber I34, see Figure 13, formed in a detachable cover I36 which as shown in Figures 6, 7 and 8, is attached to the body 52 and overlies the chamber I02, the push rod chamber I32, and the reset rod chamber I38. The outer end of the push rod I24 is provided with a plunger I40 which is slidable in a guide chamber I42. The plunger I40 guided in the cylinder I42, extends into a compartment I44, see Figure 8, and a guide slot I46 communicates with the compartment I44 and the above mentioned chamber I02. An operating finger I48 extends in the guide slot I46 and is reciprocable therein as set forth hereinafter, and bears against the undersurface of the plunger I40, and opposes the opening movement of the rod I24 under the influence ofthe spring I30, to maintain the valve I I4 in its closed position.

A latch I4I, provided with a latch finger I43, is pivoted at I45 in the chamber I44 beneath the plunger I40. A spring I41 urges the latch into position by placing the finger I43 beneath plunger I40 to normally prevent actuation of the latter by the spring I30, thereby preventing opening of the valve member. The latch I4I has a cam surface I49 engageable by the finger I48 to selectively withdraw the latch finger I43 and permit spring I30 to open the valve member.

As will be more readily understood from an examination of Figures 5, 6, '7 and 8, the compartments I02, I44, I42 and I32 all register with complementary compartments formed in the cover plate I36 as shown in Figure 13. As shown more clearly in Figures and 13, the previously mentioned channel I38 through which extends the valve release rod to be subsequently described, is divided from an aligned compartment I50 as by a partition member I52, the chamber I38 having free communication with the chamber I02. A release rod, see Figure 11, having a shank I54 with a knurled finger grip portion I56 screw-threaded upon the outer end thereof, is provided with an integral flange or collar I58 constituting an abutment for engagement by a spring I60 seated between said collar and the above mentioned partition I52, for urging the reset rod outwardly of the block 52. The shank I54 is journalled in bearings formed in the adjacent mating surfaces of the end walls of the compartment I50 in the body 52 and in the cover plate I36. The lower end of the shank I54 is provided with an integral flange-or collar I62 and has its extremity I 64 screw-threaded for detachable engagement with an externally screwthreaded rod I66 of substantially the same diameter as the flange or collar I62, the external threads of the member I66 being of a predetermined pitch and designated at I68 in Figures 5 and 11.

Screw-threaded into the free end of the member I66, is a pintle I having an integral flange or collar I12 'of the same diameter as the flange I62, and having its outer extremity I16 rotatably and slidably received in a journal and guide bushing I18 formed in a boss on the inner wall of the chamber I02 in alignment with the bearings of the shaft I54 as above set forth. The above mentioned finger I48 is integrally carried by a sleeve I which is received upon the pintle I10 between the collar I12 and the end of the member I66, whereby the screw-threaded member I66 is freely rotatable within the sleeve I80 but causes the finger I48 to move longitudinally with the members I54 and I66. It will thus be seen that the spring I60 which is stronger than the spring I30, will urge the release rod into its outer position, causing the finger I48 to travel in the slot I46 and bearing against the plunger I40, cause the rod I24 to maintain the valve II4 closed against the opposition of its opening spring I30. However, when the release rod I54 is forced inwardly, as by the finger of the operator pressing on the finger grip portion I 56, this rod and the screw member I66 may be urged inwardly against the opposition of spring I50, thereby withdrawing the finger I 48 from the plunger I40, and permitting the spring I30 to operate the rod I24 and link II6 to open the valve, whereby the spring 14 may cause the piston 12 to be checked or force out operating fluid from within the operating chamber 16 back through the conduit 84 into the storage chamber 54, thereby driving the piston 56 downwardly against the opposition of its spring 58 to accommodate this inflow of fluid.

A travelling nut I82 is screw-threaded upon the threads I68, this nut being provided with an upwardly extending indicator pin I84, extending through the elongated guiding slot I86 formed in the cover plate I36, whereby this pin prevents rotation of the travelling nut, and describes a longitudinal movement in the slot I86 as the member I66 is rotated.

As shown in Figure 2, the upper surface of the cover plate I36 adjacent the slot I86 is provided with suitable indicia I88, whereby the longitudinal position of the indicating pin I84 in the slot I86, by means of appropriate synchronizing mechanism to be later set forth, may be manually set for operating the signalling mechanism after any desired number of lines of typing.

"As so far described, it will thus be seen that the finger grip portion I56 may be rotated to cause adjustment of the travelling nut I82 and pointer I84 to the desired indicia I88 which corresponds to the number of lines which it is desired to type, and when so adjusted, each time the typewriter line spacer lever 24 is operated, the piston 12 will be driven a predetermined distance forwardly into its chamber 10, and the operating shoulder or lug I06 will be driven towards the travelling nut I82. When the desired number of lines have been typed or spaced, the shoulder I06 will engage the travelling nut I82, and the next operation of the piston 12 as effected by movement of the spacer lever 24, will cause the shoulder I06 to depress the travelling nut I82 together with the reset rod members I54 and I66 therewith. This depression, or reciprocation of the reset rod against the opposition of the spring I60, causes the disengagement of the finger I48 from the plunger I40 and release of the latch finger I43 by means of the engagement of the cam surface M3 by the finger I48 as set forth hereinbefore, whereby as will readily be seen, upon predetermined movement of the piston 12, as determined by the manual setting of the travelling nut by the reset rod, the release valve will be operated, the chamber 16 vented to the storage reservoir 54, the piston 12 returned to its original position and all of the parts properly positioned for beginning of a new cycle of counting, which will be con- .ciir'rent with the placing of a new sheet of paper in the typewriter.

will be further understood, concurrently with-the foregoing operation, the chain I08 carried by the piston rod 80 will likewise be grad- .ually released, until at the movement of disengagement of the finger I48 from the plunger I40, or if desired, just prior thereto, enough slack willbel given thechainlEiB to permit the functioning of the signalling device to be described hereinafter.

As shown in Figures -and 7, a sleeve or collar I90 is loosely received between the collar or flange I62 and the end of the member I66 upon the end portion I64 of the release rod l54, for longitudinalmovement therewith. Integrally carried by this. collar is aqlaterally extending arm or. key I92 .whichis longitudinally sliolable in an elonated slot I94 formed in the body member and communicating with the chamber I38 and chamber I02. This key sliding in" its guideway preventsrotation of the collar and ofafurther integral arm I96 carried thereby, and extending ,angularly thereto.

A detent I is pivoted to a bracket 263 in the chamber I02, see Figures 5 and '7, and has a latch finger 205 which is located in the path of travel of the arm I96 and is engageable thereby.' This etent has an actuating or'cam surfacezill which is selectively engageable by the lug I06. A s'prmg 209 .urges the detentinto its locking position, shown in Figure 5.

The operation of thismechanism is as follows. Asthef piston.12 1s driven outwardly by the repeated actuation of the plunger 90, the lug. I00 approachesthe travelling nut I82 which has been previously positioned manually as setforth herevinbefore. During this period, the spring I 60 holds the ,rodI54 inwardly and the finger I48 istherefore holding plunger I40 and rod I24 inwardly to prevent'opening of the valve. The spring pressed .causes a quick actuation of rod I24 and opening of the release valve. This movement ofrod' I54 by lug I06 also causes movement of arm I96 past the detent finger 205, the detent pivoting to permit this movement. With the release valve open, the pressure in cylinder 16 is at once released back to the reservoir '54 and since the spring I4 is the strongest spring of the device, its pressure returns piston 12 to its inner or original position forcing the fluid from cylinder I6 back to reservoir 54.

However, during this return movement of the piston and the lug I06, the return of rod I54 is temporarily prevented b the engagement of the arm I96 ,on the outer or lowerfsurface of the detent finger 205, thereby preventing disengagement of finger. I48 from the latch cam I49. Since the rod I54- cannot return the release valve remains open since the spring I is unopposed in its operation.

When the piston 12 has substantially completed its return stroke, the lug I06 engages cam surface20l of the detent, and pivots the latter cl0ckwise against the spring 209 to disengage'detent finger 205 from the arm I965. The spring IE0 is now free to act and at once returns rod I54 to its. initial or normal position, Thismovementcauses; finger I48 to be retractedfrom the cam I40 of latch [4i and to engage and lift plunger I40. ,Since the spring 500, is strongerthanspring H30, theformer causes inward movement of rod 124 thereby closingthe release valve, The latch MI is thenagain positioned beneath plunger I40 by the spring Ml.

It will thus be seen that the device automatically holds the release valve, open until the piston.12,has. finished its return stroke before the release valveis permitted to close.

Attention-is now directed more particularly to F lgures\l4, 15, 16 and 17, for a better understanding of the signalling mechanism. Suitably mounted upon the ,upper surface of thebodyj52 is ajstandard 200 whose lower end is screwthreaded externally as at 202 'for attaching the standard to the body. A tubular sleeve 204 surrounds .the lower end of the standard and ajsp'iral fiatcoil spring200 is seated in an annular groove or channel208 in the member 200, and has its extremities attached to the standardiilll and t0 the sleeve 254 as indicated best in Figure, 17, for resiliently urging, the sleeve to rotate in one directionabout the standard as set forth hereinafter.

The outer surface of the sleeve 204 adjacent the lower end thereof is provided with. an. oiltwardly extending lug 2I0, which is engaged by one end of the chain or cable I08 above mentioned, .this, chain being wound around the sleeve '204and, servingas a means, when unwound, to rotate thesleeve 204 against the oppositionlofithe springlZIlE, to thereby'tension the latter. 'It'will thusbe seen that the inward or outward movement of .the piston '12 in thechambers I0 and I6 is reflected by aiotational movement of the sleeve 204upon thestandard 200. Y

The upperedge of the sleeve 204,. is provided with clutch teeth 2 I2, which establish a one-way driving connection with a second sleeve 2l4 likewise mounted .upon the standard 200. The upper edge of the sleeve 2I4 is provided with a plurality of cam,,teeth 216 having about a forty-five degree incline with respect to the vertical axis of the sleeves and shaft, these teeth registering with correspondingly shaped teeth depending from a collaror sleeve 2J0 which is freelyand rotatably journalled uponthe supper portionof the member 200, which is reduced in diameter as at 220.

.This reduced portion 220 is of square crosssection, as shown more clearly in Figure 16, whereby the sleeve 2 18 isprevented fromrotating thereon but is free to reciprocate vertically thereof as set forth hereinafter. Where the reduced portion220 joins the body portion of the',member.200,1 thereis, provided a shoulder which constitutes a seat for normally. receiving and supporting the sleeve 2 I8.

Albell 222 constituting the signalling device, issecured totheupper reduced portion 220 as ,by a fastening bolt 224, this bell being provided with an aperture 226 for a purpose to be later set forth.

. A plurality ofsemi-resilient arms 228 extend upwardly and outwardly from the sleeve 2 I8, and are provided with balls or other weightedhbellclappers onthe outer extremities thereof. 1 These clappers 230 are so positioned as to be spaced slightlybelow theinner concave surface of the bell .222when the sleeve is in its lower position, and. resting upon the above mentioned shoulder, the parts being in the position shownin Figure 15. As slack occurs in the chainlllfi, the spring 206, permitted to rotate the lower sleeve upon the 11 standard 200, and by means of the clutch 2I2, the intermediate sleeve 2I4 is rotated therewith. As will be noted, the clutch 2I2 is so arranged that when the chain I08 is tensioned, causing the sleeve 204 to tighten the spring 206, corresponding movement is not imparted to the sleeve 2I4, since the clutch teeth 2I2 are so inclined as to cause slippage in this direction of rotation of the driving sleeve 204. When the sleeve 2I4 is rotated in its unitary direction of rotation by the sleeve 204, the cam teeth 216 cause an upward reciprocation of the sleeve or collar 2I8, which is non-rotatably mounted upon the reduced portion 220 of the standard 200. This upward movement of collar 2I8, causes the clappers 230 to momentarily strike the bell 222 to provide an audible signal. At the same time, a signal flag 232 carried by a rod 234 extending through the aperture 226 and mounted upon the collar 2I8, is likewise elevated to produce a visual signal, thus informing the operator or typist that the desired number of lines for which the device has been set, has now been reached, without thereby requiring the operator to direct his attention constantly to the sheet of paper to determine when the desired margins have been attained.

Concurrently with the ringing of the bell and the raising of the signal, or slightly thereafter, as found to be preferable, the operating lug I06 contacts the carrier nut I82, depresses the reset mechanism, and permits the opening of the valve II4, thereby releasing the pressure in the operating chamber 16 and permitting the escape of fluid therefrom into the storage reservoir 54, whereupon the piston I2 assumes its initial position ready for the next operation of the device. From the foregoing, it will be seen that the device is entirely automatic in its operation in carrying out its cycle from start to finish and in resetting itself at the end of its cycle. Further, when it is manually desired to reset the device, as when removing a sheet of paper only partially completed or discarded, the reset rod may be manually depressed, instantly restoring the parts to their original position. Also, as will be readily seen, the entire hydraulic system of the device is completely self -enclosed, thereby minimizing any possibility of leakage, and minimizing the necessity for servicing the device. As will be readily seen, by selecting the proper shape of cam 48, the device may be adapted to any type of typewriter or other instrument in which it is desired to line space the work.

To further improve the appearance of the device, and to prevent accidental damage of any of its exposed parts or conduits, the entire mechanism is enclosed by end, side, bottom and top cover plates 236, attached thereto as by screws 238, except for the above described signalling mechanism. Thus, as shown clearly in Figure 5, the three conduits connecting the three cylinders of the device are protectively enclosed, and the channel member 240 formed on the lower surface of the body 52 and running longitudinally thereof as shown in Figure 6, which embraces and receives the space lever 24, is likewise enclosed, this plate serving to retain the device upon the spacer lever.

From the foregoing, it will be readily understood that the principles of the invention are equally applicable for attachment to other operating parts of a typewriter or other business machine, since it is merely necessary to utilize some element of the machine which is operated each time a new space or line is made upon the paper. Thus, the device could-be mounted upon the carriage of the typewriter with the operating cam being positioned upon the spacer lever.

Should any leakage of liquid occur, or lost motion develop in the parts of the device, it is merely necessary to properly adjust the plug 60, to again impart the desired pressure to the fluid in the reservoir 54, and throughout the entire hydraulic system of the device.

It will be apparent that any desired ratio of piston travel in the chamber 52 to piston travel in the chamber 16 may be given, and these relative movements will be calibrated with the pitch of the screw threads I68, whereby when the desired number of lines for which the device has been set are attained, the piston 12 will have positioned its lug I06 in position to operate the travelling nut I82 and thereby reset the mechanism after sounding the signal and raising the indicator flag thereof.

From the foregoing, it is believed that the manner of construction and the operation of the device will be readily understood together with the advantages arising therefrom, and accordingly further explanation is believed to be unnecessary.

However, since numerous modifications within the spirit of the invention will readily occur to those skilled in the art after a consideration of the foregoing description and accompanying drawings, it is not intended to limit the invention to the exact construction shown and described, but numerous modifications and equivalents may be resorted to falling within the scope of the appended claims. v

Having described this invention, what is claimed as new is:

1. In a typewriter having a frame and a line spacer lever movable relative thereto, a signaling device comprising a body having signalling means and actuator means for said signalling means, a cam for operating said actuator means, said cam and body being mounted oppositely on said frame and line spacer lever for effecting opera* tion of said actuator means in response to each actuation of the typewriter line spacer lever, said actuator means including a fluid pressure system having a fluid pressure chamber with operated and operating pistons therein, said pistons being operatively connected to said signalling means and said cam respectively.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said fluid pressure chamber has a check valve therein between said pistons for preventing return flow to said operating piston, and a bypass for eifecting return flow of fluid from said operated to said operating pistons.

3. The combination of claim 2 wherein said bypass is provided With a control valve, and automatic operating means for said control valve connected with said operated piston for manipulating said control valve when said operated piston attains a predetermined position.

4. The combination of claim 3 including a manually operable means connected with said control valve for selective opening of said bypass.

5. The combination of claim 1 including a fluid pressure reservoir, a spring loaded piston for maintaining a predetermined minimum pressure in said reservoir, a passage connecting said reservoir to said chamber, and a bypass for effecting return flow from said operated to said operating piston, said bypass connecting with said reservoir.

6. The combination of claim 1 wherein said fluid pressure chamber has a check valve therein between said pistons for preventing return flow to said operating piston, and a bypass for effecting return flow of fluid from said operated to said operating pistons, said bypass having a control valve, a push rod operatively connected to said control valve, and means connected to said push rod and operable by said operated piston after a predetermined movement for opening said control valve.

7. The combination of claim 6 wherein said means includes a release rod, a member carried by said release rod and adjustable longitudinally thereof, said member being engageable by said operated piston, said release rod being reciprocable by said operated piston after said member has been engaged thereby, said rod having an element operatively engaging said push rod.

8. The combination of claim '7 wherein said push rod is resiliently urged to valve opening position, said release rod element opposing the valve opening movement of said push rod.

9. The combination of claim 8 wherein said release rod is provided with a spring, said spring yieldingly maintaining said element and push rod in valve closing position.

10. The combination of claim 9 including manual means for reciprocating said release rod to disengage said element from said push rod and permit said resiliently urged push rod to open said valve.

11. In a typewriter having a frame and a line spacer lever movable relative thereto, a signaling device comprising a body having signaling means and actuator means for said signaling means, a

cam for operating said actuator means, said cam from said actuator means-to rotate said sleeve in response to movement of said actuator means beyond a predetermined position, and means for producing a signal upon rotation of said sleeve.

12. The combination of claim 11 including a spring connected to said standard and urging said sleeve to its idle position.

13. The combination of claim 12 including a clutch member rotatable and reciprocable in said standard and connected to said last means, said clutch member having a one-way driving connection with said sleeve.

14. The combination of claim 13 including a reciprocable, non-rotatable collar on said standard, and cooperating cam surfaces on said collar and clutch member.

JAMES D. F. SMITH.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,106,424 Strong Aug. 11, 1914 1,170,988 Nibourel Feb. 8, 1916 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 612,167 Germany Apr. 15, 1935 

